These last few weeks since Jude's birthday have been non stop! We've had a lot going on but for the most part, everything has been worth the busyness.
First of all, we moved! We had some great, great help and were loaded in the truck with our old place cleaned in a record 3 hours! Since we've moved every year for the last five years, Ross and I have this whole moving thing down to a science...a very studied, meticulously executed, planned science. The only thing different about this move was the whole "now we have a baby" thing. But luckily for us (and Jude), he's got some pretty great grandparents who enjoy spending time with him. They helped out a ton by watching Jude for the weekend so we could get all unloaded and unpacked. And, just like the move started, we were unpacked and all settled by Sunday night (another record)!
We are absolutely loving our place! The first night Jude was here was a bit rough for him. I'm pretty sure he was a little freaked out by the fact that his stuff was around but this definitely wasn't the house he was used to. But once we got him distracted on the PLETHORA of toys that he has, he was fine. All of the gifts he had gotten for his birthday, we just boxed up before he played with them...another bonus! It was like opening presents for a second time.
The hardwood floors in the kitchen, living, and dining room have gotten Jude up off the floor. I am happy to say that he is a walker!! Full on walking, turning, squatting to pick things up and then back up and walking. Unfortunately, though we're not surprised, this also means capital T, Trouble! As is not surprising to me with having a boy, I think that in less than a week's time, Jude has managed to eat at least a quarter cup full of dirt, rocks, twigs, leaves and possibly some chipped pieces of cement. Good for the immune system right? This of course is happening because of the awesome backyard we have here! It's the perfect exploring ground for a little one. It also comes standard with a little skunk living in the backyard. I've only ever seen him at dusk and at night but he's back there for sure. Let's hope skunk-a-lunk and Jude-o don't cross paths.
The front of our cute little home
Excuse the orange tint...but this is my kitchen!!!!! I'm so excited about it for a variety of reasons:
a) I picked out the layout (with the help of a designer of course)
b) I helped pick the cabinets and counter tops and the overall awesomeness that is this kitchen
c) it is open to the living/dining room and I don't feel like I'm completely isolated when I'm in the kitchen!! I've been here a little over a week and I've got my cooking game back ON!
d) Do you see the amount of counter space I've got??? Now, this isn't like a Guiness Book of Records-type of amount but I promise you, it's worlds more than what I had before.
EEEeeeeeeee!!!!!! :-D
I can cook in the kitchen and see most of the rest of the house (aka - Jude's Trouble-Making Land)
Aaah, home sweet home
Our next "New"
Last Tuesday, I decided it was time for Jude to try peanut butter. I made him some toast with a very light smearing of peanut butter on each slice. I cut the crust off and then sliced each piece into strips and then smaller pieces from there. The bits he had were each about the size of a vitamin. Jude had one piece and kind of started coughing. I was on high alert but I figured it was just the thickness being a new sensation for him. He signed "more" and had another piece and kept coughing. Then, he started sneezing with copious amounts of nastiness to go along with it. Mama bear is in super high alert mode. However, I tried to remain calm and see what was going on. He asked for more so I gave him another piece or two. He continued to cough and sneeze and then at this point, Jude began to furiously shake his head "no". He began to rub his eyes (smearing snot all over his face) and his eyes became incredibly red and puffy. This was all within about 5 minutes of his first itsy-bitsy smearing of peanut butter. Luckily Ross was still home at this point and I asked his opinion. We decided to get him to some kind of professional. Doctors offices were still closed. I pulled out the trusty computer and started a google search for Urgent Care Offices in the area...it was at this point that I realized the err of my ways. I grabbed Jude and we went to the ER. Lucky for us, we're only 10 blocks away. By the time we got there, Jude's reaction was pretty severe. The triage nurse asked me what was going on and I said, "I think we've got an allergic reaction going on." To which she smirked and said, "Yep! Come on back."
Jude was monitored to make sure that his oxygen level wasn't low and that his heart rate was ok. He didn't like the apparatus...
He was given benadryl and prednisone to stop the reaction. Once they gave it to him, we just had to wait to see what happened. Things got much, much worse before they got better. At it's worst (sorry no pics of that), Jude's eyes were swollen shut. He looked like he had hard-boiled eggs for eyes. His ears were as thick as oreo's. The welts on his back and tummy had grown together and he looked as though he had an incredibly bad sunburn which was also swollen. He was scratching his neck and chest and I just felt so bad and so helpless. But, Jude is a trooper. Throughout this whole ordeal, he was smiling and waving to the nurses and staff. He was trying to climb every piece of hospital equipment he could see. He was ready and willing to show everyone his "tricks" and was just the star of the place. He barely cried. He even guzzled down the medication. The nurse said she'd never had a baby who didn't completely fight back when it came to the medicine.
We were sent home after several hours of monitoring once his rash and swelling had significantly gone down. Throughout the rest of that day and night, he got Benadryl every 4 hours. As it would wear off, the welts and swelling would return. He had to take the steroids for 4 days and the Benadryl for several following the "great peanut disaster". All is well with Jude Monster now. He's happy and walking and has probably forgotten the whole thing. Luckily, Mom hasn't. We see the doctor this week for a follow up and we'll see what this means for him and the future. One thing I know for sure, NO PEANUTS!
Eeewwwww
What the heck is going on???
